Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia

At a glance

Status	Open. Businesses must submit Expressions of Interest by January 17, 2025 for projects beginning on or after April 1, 2025. We are accepting applications from not-for-profit organizations on an ongoing basis.
Funding per recipient	Businesses: $500,000 to $3M per project Not-for-profit organizations: $500,000 to $5M per project
Type of funding	Businesses: repayable contributions Not-for-profit organizations: non-repayable contributions
Eligible organizations	Incorporated businesses and not-for-profit organizations

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative funds:

businesses that are commercializing or adopting artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in B.C.
not-for-profit organizations that are supporting AI commercialization or adoption and ecosystem development in B.C.

Intake will focus on the following:

businesses with projects to support AI commercialization
not-for-profit organizations with projects that help develop the AI ecosystem in B.C., particularly those that bring AI commercialization activities together with AI adoption activities

Note that projects to support businesses that are adopting existing AI technologies may be considered on an exceptional basis.

The Initiative aims to support projects that:

use AI to improve human health, environmental health, and/or economic resilience and productivity across various sectors, including those that support other sectors such as infrastructure, telecommunications and transportation
commercialize AI technology by helping AI companies, including start-ups, bring new technologies to market
adopt AI technology by accelerating AI use in key sectors
advance the AI ecosystem in B.C. by supporting local organizations that use AI
generate strong economic results by growing revenue and creating high-quality jobs

The strongest applications will be ones that demonstrate:

Applicants must clearly show how they will achieve these objectives. Funding recipients will be required to report on their progress.